Deborah Drever, who was ousted from the NDP caucus last spring after a series of controversial social media gaffes, says she won’t shy away from Facebook and Twitter as the party welcomed her back into the fold.

The Calgary-Bow MLA was suspended from the NDP caucus just weeks after the party’s stunning election victory after a series of controversial images, including an album cover depicting an apparent assault.

But it was an image posted on her Instagram account featuring Tories Ric McIver and former premier Jim Prentice with the phrase “Gay boyz” written underneath it that ultimately led to her expulsion in May.

The young MLA faced unrelenting criticism from online commenters, as well as from constituents, media pundits and opposition members.

Surrounded by NDP MLAs inside the Bowness Scout and Guides Hall Association, Drever thanked her colleagues, friends and family for their support over the past seven months.

“If there’s any lessons to be learned, it’s that when you are getting attacked over and over again to just stay strong and to remember why I ran to begin with,” Drever said when asked what the experience taught her.

Drever’s bill changes the Residential Tenancies Act to allow victims of spousal abuse to break leases and move out early.

Premier Rachel Notley, in Winnipeg Friday to meet Manitoba Premier Greg Selinger, said she is pleased Drever “worked so hard” on the criteria she was provided to earn her way back into caucus.

“Most people would agree that she has met those requirements and exceeded them,” Notley told reporters at a news conference. “I am very pleased for her and for her constituents.”

Notley said that “if people change their life and roll up their sleeves and do the job and commit to doing a good job, and do so with honesty and integrity, then I think they should have every opportunity at their disposal.”

“I think that not only applies to all MLAs, but frankly to all citizens.”

Calling the bill Drever’s “crowning achievement,” government house leader Brian Mason said the young MLA had “acquitted tremendously well” and built relationships with organizations that deal with family violence.

“It’s an outstanding piece of legislation,” Mason told reporters in Calgary. “We’re very proud of the work that she has done and we’re very happy at this time to welcome her back.”

Mason said younger people who grew up using social media often face greater scrutiny and pressure because of their online presence and should be wary of what they post on the Internet.

“Had social media existed when I was in high school I probably wouldn’t be standing here,” said the veteran MLA.

Greg Clark, leader of the Alberta Party, said he sat next to Drever in the legislature and watched as she kept her head down and worked diligently on a bill that helps people escape domestic violence.

“She made mistakes,” said the Calgary-Elbow MLA. “What she said and did was not acceptable, but the past is the past and she has clearly shown that she deserves to be back in the government caucus.”

Drever said she remained committed to advocating for gender equality, women’s rights and other social justice issues in the coming years.

While her earlier, and numerous, online flubs lead to her suspension and public flogging, Drever said she would maintain a presence on social media to connect with her constituents.

“I don’t regret running,” she said.

Tory MLA Sandra Jansen, who similarly faced a barrage of criticism for a flippant remark about electricians in 2014, was sympathetic to the drubbing Drever endured since the May election.

“It is an incredibly frightening, uncomfortable, startling thing to go through when you’re in the eye of the storm like that,” said Jansen.

“What’s important is your record going forward,” she said, adding Alberta is facing “a lot more important things to talk about right now than someone’s past photographs.”

“I would hope that people would begin now to put that behind them and move on to other issues,” she said.

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